2013 Holiday Season Mailing Deadlines to FPO/APO Addresses

[Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom]

The Naval Supply Systems Command's (NAVSUP) Postal Policy Division mail-by dates

for pre-Dec. 25 delivery of holiday cards, letters, and packages.

Link to navy.mil story:  2013 Holiday Mailing Deadlines for delivery pre-Dec. 25

MECHANICSBURG, Pa. (NNS) -- The Naval Supply Systems Command's (NAVSUP) Postal Policy Division mail-by dates for pre-Dec. 25 delivery of holiday cards, letters, and packages were released Sept. 3.

For mail addressed to: 
APO/FPO/DPO AE zips 090-098 (except 093); AA zips 340; AP zips 962-966 
* Express Mail: Dec. 17
* First-Class Mail (letters/cards and priority mail): Dec. 10 
* Parcel Airlift Mail: Dec. 3 
* Space Available Mail: Nov. 26 
* Parcel Post: Nov. 12
APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIP 093 
* Express mail Military Service: N/A 
* First-Class Mail (letters/cards and priority mail): Dec. 3 
* Parcel Airlift Mail: Dec. 3 
* Space Available Mail: Nov. 26 
* Parcel Post: Nov. 12
For mail addressed from all shore FPOs (except 093)
* Express Mail Military Service: Dec. 17
* First-Class Mail (letters/cards and priority mail): Dec. 10 
* Parcel Airlift Mail: Dec. 3 
* Space Available Mail: Nov. 26 

All classes of mail addressed to FPO/APO addresses must use the nine-digit ZIP code to ensure delivery. Mail not addressed correctly will be returned to the sender as undeliverable. 

Express Mail Military Service (EMMS) is available from selected military post offices. If mailing to an APO/FPO address, check with your local post office to determine if this service is available. 

Parcel Airlift Mail (PAL) is a service that provides air transportation for parcels on a space-available basis. It is available for Parcel Post items not exceeding 30 pounds in weight or 60 inches in length and girth combined. The applicable PAL fee must be paid in addition to the regular surface rate of postage for each addressed piece sent by PAL service. 

Space Available Mail (SAM) refers to parcels mailed to APO/FPO addresses at parcel post rates that are first transported domestically by surface and then to overseas destinations by air on a space available basis. The maximum weight and size limits are 15 pounds and 60 inches in length and girth combined. From overseas locations, items mailed at Parcel Post rates are sent to CONUS by air on a space available basis. The maximum weight and size limit are 70 pounds and 130 inches in length and girth combined. 

It is recommended that customers check with their local civilian or military post office for information on size restrictions and possible need for customs declaration forms. Customers are advised that certain mail restrictions apply and some items cannot be mailed. Examples are: switchblade knives, pornography, controlled substances, and explosive or incendiary devices. If in doubt as to what can or cannot be sent through the mail, contact your local civilian or military post office. 

As a final note, customers are cautioned that packages must not be mailed in boxes that have markings related to any type of hazardous material, such as bleach, alcohol, or cleaning fluids. Parcels found by the U.S. Postal Service with such markings or labels on the outside of the box will not be processed. 

The NAVSUP and Navy Supply Corps team share one mission--to deliver sustained global logistics capabilities to the Navy and Joint warfighter. NAVSUP/Navy Supply Corps' diverse team of more than 25,000 civilian and military personnel oversee a diverse portfolio including supply chain management for material support to Navy, Marine Corps, joint and coalition partners, supply operations, conventional ordnance, contracting, resale, fuel, transportation, security assistance, and quality of life issues for the naval forces, including food service, postal services, Navy Exchanges, and movement of household goods. The NAVSUP/Navy Supply Corps team forms a vast network of professionals who deliver unparalleled products and services to customers in the fleet and across the world.

[chriscwick]

Thanks Marcy!

[char]

Hi - Just want to confirm packages mailed to a FPO AP/headed to Japan will make it by Christmas if we mail it by December 3rd?    Also, what is 'Space Available Mail' mean?

Thanks,

Char

[Marcy ~ Corpsman Mom]

Char, use your sailor's FPO ZIP code and look through the list above to see what that deadline is for the means you are choosing (express, first-class, etc).  I would have to ask the post office what "space available" is, but my guess is that's the cheapest way you can send and don't care about speed.